Schinsandra Berries
Also
known as
Schisandra chinensis, Schizadra, Wu Wei Zi, Magnolia vine, Gomishi, Kita-Gomishi
Introduction
Chinese folklore says that Schisandra can "calm the heart and quiet the spirit", and it has a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Schisandra, also known as Magnolia vine due to its ability to grow upwards in a creeping fashion, is a native to Northern China, Russia, and parts of Korea. An ornamental plant found in many fine gardens throughout the world, schisandra is a woody vine with oval pink leaves and bright red berries. The most popular use can be recorded in China and Russia. Its Chinese name is wu-wei-zi, which means five taste fruit. Schisandra has a usually sour, sweet, bitter, warm, and salty taste, hence the name "five taste". Russian hunters have consumed it for centuries as a tea to help with fatigue.
Constituents
Up to 19% of the fruits weight consists of lignan’s.
Parts
Used
The whole berry or powdered berry.
Typical
Preparations
Asian users take 1 teaspoon a day and it makes a lovely infusion in fruit juice. Pour ½ cup to a 1-gallon pitcher of a dark fruit juice and allow it to soak for 1 day. Strain and drink as necessary. Schisandra can also be added to tea decoctions, herbal brews (soft simmer) and is effective as a liquid herbal extract and herbal capsule. One can also make an effective Schisandra syrup by allowing the berries to soak in Glycerin for 1 month. For convenience it may be taken as a capsule or extract.
Summary
Schizandra can have a very beneficial impact on your health. It can increase capacity for physical and mental exercise and protect you from environmental stress. It can increase your energy by stimulating the central nervous system without making you nervous like caffeine would. It is often used in the treatment of hepatitis C. Besides its liver protecting properties, it is also beneficial to the kidneys as it helps balances the fluid in the body.
Health Benefits of Schinsandra Berries
Schizandra Uses
- As a powerful adaptogen
- Increase strength and stamina
- Increase energy
- For clarity of mind
- Fight fatigue
- Treat asthma
- Treat influenza
- Treat pre menstrual syndrome
- Help digestion and treat indigestion
- Treat liver disease
- Enhance the working of the immune system
- As a powerful antioxidant
- Treat respiratory ailments
- Improve the functioning of the respiratory system
- As an aphrodisiac
- For anti-aging and longevity
- Treat sore throats, colds and coughs
- Protect the liver and lungs
- Treat insomnia and night sweats
- Treat mental and physical exhaustion
- Relieve stress
- Treat depression
- Increase circulation
- Treat high blood pressure
- Recuperation following surgery
- For it’s anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties
- treat chronic fatigue syndrome
- Protect and enhance vision and hearing
- Treat insomnia
- Lower high cholesterol
- Treat asthma
Precautions
Botanical safety research in China, Russia, and the U.S. showed that Schisandra might cause gastrointestinal upset in some individuals, though rare. Schisandra should not be used by pregnant women as it is a uterine stimulant.
This herb is sold by the Ounce